davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01
POINTS IN PRISON REFORM.

While penitentiary matters are under
going consideration at the hands Of the
present Legislature, THE GAZETTE vent
ures to call attention to one or two of the
recommendations embodied in the an
nual report of Assistant Superintendent
McCulloch of the Huntsville prison.
There are number of practical sugges-
lions in his report, but the following ap-
pear to have special merit. He says
81 would also recommend that financial
reward be paid convicts for good con-
duct as an incentive to better acts ard to
enable them to assist their families while
they are here, instead of being burden
to them. To this l would add that, IN
my opinion, sentence for life Except,
possibly, in rape cases. should be an es-
timated number of years-such number
that the man might reasonably hope to
see the end OF his prison life-and that
more discretion be granted the executive
in pardoning convicts particularly long
the cCnvicts in the Texas peniteutiaries do
work enough to make them
self-sustaining. OF course the sick
and decrepid do not earn as much
as it costs to maintain them, but these
are so few in number they do not affect
the general average. The prisoners who
are able to work are so numerous and
their labor is made so remunerative that
they more than compensate for the eX-
captions above noted. If convict, then,
is self-sustaining, if ne earns more than
he costs and is in addition well behaved
and orderly, why should not the state
divide at least portion of his surplus
earnings with him? If he has family
the fund thus created would be helpful to
the wife and children or other relatives
who, when the man is sent to the peni-
Tertiary, are left at home to bear the
disgrace of crime in which they did not
have part or parcel and also struggle
wi b poverty. Thus situated, their strug-
gle is doubly hard and pathetic. If the
convict has no fgmily he would himself
have the inspiration arising from the
knowledge that his earnings were &C
cumulating to help him begin new life
when his term ends. Superintendent
McCulloch's suggestion is at once practi-
cal and humane, and deserves favorable
consideration. As much may be said,
too, of his recommendation touching life
sentences.
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01

HONEST newspapers which are willing
to suffer for the deeds done, maliciously,
in the body, only ask of the Legislature
such amendment of the libel law as will
protect them again: malicious prosecu-
ten. Again THE GAZETTE repeats
"Amend the libel law so that retracton
of offensive matter on application of the
offended party may remove the offense,
save as to papers which have their domi-
cile in the same county with the offended
party, and which, therefore have every
opportunity of testing the libelous char
acter of all matter printed. In cases
where the offending journal is published
at distance from the plaintiff, and my
offend even when it does not know that
offense has been given, require the Of
Tended party to aver in his petition that
he has applied for the amende honorable
in vain to the office of publication"
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01

A BILL for the regulation OF prison Ia
Dor, which prohibits convic.s learning any
useful trade or obtaining knowledge of
machinery, would be better entitled a bill
to foster crime and perpetuate penitentis-
ries. Il there be any good resulting
from incarceration it must spring from
training those who have lived idle and
dissolute lives in habits of industry and
virtue. The members of the working
mems assembly from which this bill is
said to have emanated, are certainly actu-
ated by selfish motives, and by these
have become blinded to the general good.
From financial basis such a measure
would be fraught with evil, as few of the
workingmen of the country would be
willing to meet an increased taxation
which would inevitably result from re-
stricting the industries of convicts to
mere manual labor, as this would render
it impossible for penitentiaries to ever
become self-supporting.
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01
GAZETTE BRANCH OFFICES.

Dailas-J. G. McSealus, manager. THE GA
zETrF is for sale by all newsdealers. Subscrip
lions taken at 5l2 Elm street, Dallas.
Sherman-W. T. Ben on, manager.
Denison-Frank Baker, manager.
Waco-W p. Glenn. manager.
Weatherford-H B. Dorsey, manager.
Paris-C. b Mickey, manager.
Jetfersor-E. W. Cameron, manager.
Marshall-Robert Kennedy, manager.
Abilene-J Y. Minter, mar ageT.
Cleburnr W II. BYRD, manager
FL Paso- j. A. stephenson, m inager.
Gainesville-E. P. Hill ana J. l.. Hickson
managers
Bonham-C. Z. johnson, manager.
Honey EIrove-T. (. Workman, manager.
Baird-Frank Dorsey, manager
Jireenville-R obey Sartsin, manager.
ColoradO-W. Il Newkirk, manager.
Mineola-J. Y. Mcdaniel, manager.
Cisco-A NJ. Redfield manager.
Whitesborc j. G. Glenn, manager.
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01

dence that the land is fit only for grazing
purposes, for men cannot conceive q
valid reason fo- leasing lands that might
be converted into farms, and the poruiar
mind outside the state applies the exist
ence of the law, and the resssBs for it,
to every section of the State. The wire
fence that excludes the settler ip Jones
county as effectusily excludes him in
Pamela county; for, to the outsidert
Texas leases vast tracts OF land to cattls,
men.
1t was not the predictions of what the
law would do, but what the law did do,
that "placed check upon immigration
and settlement, as shown by the register. :"
And whatever be the motives of advocates
of lease law, the decision of the TWEEN
tieth Legislature in treating the system
will De, practically, the preference OF that
body for the settlement of the country or
the maintenance of ranches.
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01
Verdict Against the Santa Fe
Correspondence OF the Gazette.

correspondence OF the Gazette.
BRYAN, TEX Jan 29.-After four dsys
Of hard fighting by counsel on both sides
the jury brought into the County court
this morning verdict against the de-
PENDANT in the case of JEFF Scott ct al VS.
the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Rail
road Company for s16C, instead Of
1928 %, amount sued for. This suit,
with anout eighteen others, IVES insti-
tuted against the above railway company
for damages done to growing crops from
overflow Of the BrezOs river, owing, as
alleged by plaintiffs, TO the unsgillful
manner in which the company constructed
Its road across the river bottom, there by
stopping the natural flow of the water In
time of OVERT w $$g,,,
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01

\ DURANGO, Mex, stockman his sold TO q
Fort Worth firm 10000 Mexican horses, the OBJ
ject Of the company being to establish g large
horse marke ia that city. During rha last
seven year the sales of horses in the San An
tonic market have averaged 10000 yearly, and
1t is but recently that there has been any con-
certed &C ion on the part of raisrrs and dealer =.
But is transaction quoted above is q pointer
to our business men and traders, as showing
the imp rtance of united action to retain and
control this large trade, and the abso ute i'm
rtauce of urion stock yards in doing it.-lSan
Antonio Times.
No use to kick against the pricks, es-
teemed contemporary. The Waties Com
pany of Fort Worth will attend to the
horse and mule trade of Texas in the
future
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01

ACCORDING to the idea OF some people.
times are good when the cost of living is
low. Low prices are necessary con-
comitant of q scarcity of work. Labor
is like a commodity; when the demand
for it is small the price of it is low. and
when there is brisk demand for it the
price is high. When labor is constantly
employed, times are good, and the real
method Of relief for hard times is to de-
wise some means for constant employ
ment of all who can work; those who
can work aud will not, ought to starve.
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01
"a CHECK UPON IMNIGRATTON."
Discussir G the lease law in his late re-
port, Mr.. Walsh, ex Land Commissioner,

Discussir G the lease law in his late re-
port, Mr.. Walsh, ex Land Commissioner,
says:
1t was proclaimed to the world through Ger
tain papers of the state that no poor man could
get a home ia I e1as; that The entire public do
main had been surrer d red to corporations
who had fenced 1t up and would allow no one
to enter. These statements were magnifed
and some If hem kept as sanding matter in
papers interested in the colonization of the
northwestern states and territnrie-.
Whatever the motive of these articles theii
effect WAS poten', and check tcGS placed upon
immigration and settlement, ShOlcn By The
register, for nearly TWO years. II the land
AID cattle companies had devised q plan and
spent their money to prevent the influx of set,
tiers upon their ranges, they could have found
none better than that pursued by the papers as
above mentioned.
Ibis statement is compliment TO the
circulation of the dozen free grass papers
in Texas at the Expense of the two or
three nundrs lease law organs in the
state which THE GAZETTE, for one, de-
clides to accept. Less than dozen news
papers in Texas opposed the lease law
and pointed out it's fatal effect on immi,
grafton, while over two hundred papers,
including every daily except two, favored
the lawand advertised its inducements to
settlers-and yet, in an official report,
Mr.. Walsh deliberately attributes "the
check placed upon immigration and
settlement" to the courageous few
that dared to do battle against g
great public wrong in opposition to the
hundreds! What the free grass papers
predicted did transpire, according to Mr..
Walsh's own official acknowledgment,
but he attributes "the check placed on
immigration and settlement, as Shoun By
the register" not 10 the law itself, but to
the predictions of the result of its opera
tons!
The lease law failed to lease, but it did
not fail to "place check upon immigra-
ton and settlement, IS was shown by the
register" The reason for this was
pointed out nearly three years ago by THE
GAZETTE, and is obvious. The fact, the
mere existence, of lease law dfters immi-
grafton. Why was all Texas so prompt to
deny the truth Of drouth in few coun-
ties? Was it not because the admission
of the existence Of drouth in even in a
few wes ern counties so severe as to de-
mand relief would have created public
impression hurtful to the whole state?
People outside Of Texas have no compre-
hension of the magnitude Of the state,
and when they are told that public lands
are leased by cattlemen, or can be leased
by huge syndicstes, they imagine the
whole state to be open to the demands OF
ranchmen. The typical Texan to the
average mind is q cowboy with broad
hat, jingling spurs and ugly six shooter,
and the lease law is an advertisement to
the world that the state Is in every sec
tion his chosen field.
The man who does not take into con-
sideration the deterrent influence of
lease law on immigration, shuts his eyesto
the analogies all abou. him. The exist
ence of lease law Is regarded as evil
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01

FROM the remarks made by Senator
Hosr before the Senate on the woman
suffrage bill, there was mistake made in
not selecting him to submit it. Senator
Blair, the presentee, is known to be
freaktsh, and his championship was not
the best that might have been. In the
course of the debate Senator Hoar added
pungency to it by suggesting to Senator
Vest of Missouri, that he had taCitly al
mitted the capacity Of women for sena-
torial debate, by borrowing his argument
from two eminent women. II the Nation,
al Woman Suffrage Association can in
duce as large per cent. of the women OF
the United States to actively indorse the
movement, there will be little need of
any championship. Thirty-six per cent.
of the women can easily move so small a
body of men as compose the United States
Senate.
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01
Rates of Advertising Furnished on Applicant

Rer,ittances by draft, postoRce money order or
q -egfstered letter, at risk Of office,
Correspondence is solicited upon all ret1s sub
5ects
PROMPT information oferents and netrs happen
inQs Of general interest solicited and CiH be prop
eriy compensated
6U communications intended for publication
must be accompanied By the tcTiteT'S name and dd
cireSs-,aot for p,6licGtiOn-but as an eridence o.
good faith
Parties tr7iting to THE GAZETTE on business
personal to themselves ciU please incloSe stamp JoT
reply
All letters or communications for THE GAZETI
I7hether on business for publication should De
addressed to The GA ETTE, or DEMOCRAT PUB
LISTING Co Fort Forth, Ter, AND nor TO
INDIVIDUALS.
Al checks, money orders, postal notes, etc
should be made payable TO the DEMOCRAT PUB
LISTING co
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01

conduct of the public schools, and all
other pablo matters abundantly attest
That the feeling is strong and strength
epng each day that any interference with
elections by force or fraud, directly or in
dire city applied, is crime Of extreme
and exceptional odiousness, no doubt can
be raised. Il is, therefore, peculiarly I'M
fortunate that the national senate should
have acted as it did just st this time, for
their action will surely check the growth
of the sentiment referred to.
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01
TELEPHONE SERVICE PRICES.

TELEPHONE SER VICE PRICES,
OF course there will be differences of
opinion as to the merits of Mr.. jarvis
bill regulating charges for telephone ser
vice in this state, but it cannot be al
legged that the measure is a glsring inno
walton or without precedent. 1t is COM
paratively brief period since the public
began using the telephone, but time
enough has elapsed to convince the peo-
pie in several states that the telephone
companies have to be brought under some
measure of restraint, just like otSer cor
porations, unless the public is willing to
su nit to impositions in the way OF
charges. Accordingly, in several states,
the Legislatures have already taken steps
to regulate telephone charges and have
fixed maximum rates which may not be
violated without subiecting the violator
to legal pains and penalties. The New
York Legislature is now considering
bill which provides that telephone COM
psnies doing business in that state shall
not earn above 10 per cent. net on the
cash capital invested in the enterprises.
When the charges for telephone
service are so high that excee ding
10 per cent. is earned the companies shall
at once reduce their rates, so as to bring
the net income within the sum named. To
carry out the law there is telephone
which has full power to
make investigations and ascertain exactly
what the telephone companies are earn
ing in every town in the state where there
is telephone exchange. 1t must be
borne IN mind, however, that 10 per cent.
in New York is much more profitable
return than the same amount would be in
Texas. The cost of operating telephone
lines in this state of magnificent distances
and small towns Is largely in excess of
what is required in New York, aud it
would not be wise or Just to assume that
because such rate will suffice in New
York it can be made for Texas. The
is only cited to show that in
other states than Texas the people have
reached the conclusion they are charged
a rather high price for telephone service,
and that the companies cen live and
make money on lower rates. THE GAZETTE
does not own any telephone stock and
therefore cannot assume to speak authOri-
tatively as to the remunerativeness Of
telephone investments in Texas, but THE
GAZETTE has heard, and from sources
that ought to be authoritative, that the
returns are exceedingly handsome. The
sum of % per cent. in the way of annual
dividends has frequently been mentioned
by those who are on the inside as q fair
sample of what telephone exchange in
a brisk Texas town will yield. In some
instances the figure has been stated as
high as 40 per cent. Mr.. Jarvis does not
desire to break up the telephone business
by any means, and it may be that q
cheaper rate for the service will result,
after all, benefcially to the telephone in
terests. 1t is certain that with lower
rates more people would use the phones
than at present prices.
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01
A COINCIDENCE.
Investigating State that Seats a Negro
and Ous's a White Man.
Anstin Statesman

Austin statesman
About the same time that the national
Senate was ordering the Investigation Of
"laWlessness existing in county within
the state of Texas" upon the ground
that the ordinary processes of law could
not be depended upon to suppress crime
within this state, and that citizens of the
United States within this state had been
deprived of their legal rights and driven
from their homes because Of their adher-
ence to the Republican party, there was
an election contest gong on at Austin
for seat in the House of Repre-
sentatives. A white Democrat was
the contestant; q negro Repub
lican the contestee, and the vote at
the election very close one. The COM
mittee on contested elections, without
any unnece sSary delay, reported in favor
Of the negro, and the House, by unsni-
nous vote, declared him entitled to the
seat he held. H does this occurrence
correspond with "the hideous tales of
woe, sadder than owl songs or the mid
night blast" told at Washington by the
r publican refugees from Texas out
rages2 Now, we are not of those who
contend that there has been no violations
of law in Washington county IN this
state. There may have been, and that,
toe, with view to effect the
election there, and by Democrats
against Republicans, or Rrpubli-
cans against Democrats. But we
are OF those that deny, and Indignantly
deny, that there exists such a condition
of things in any county within the state
of Texas to warrant any interference on
the part of the national government with
our internal affairs. The people of Texas
have laid behind them all race prt JUDGES
that interfere with an impartial admins
tration of the laws, state or national
Every day it is evidenced that the people
of this state are resolved to have a truly.
republican state government, under
which every citizen is the equal of
every other citizen, regardless of race or
social distinctions. That this is the
sincere spirit and purpose of the people
Of Texas, the records Of the courts, the
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01

enced conviction regarding the Cullom-
Reagan billiard then the Beck bill will
become law, as it ought to. 1t is an
honest measure, aimed to protect the in
terests of the people, as affected by the
subsidized railroads and the only wonder
is that senators who profess to be jealous
of their good name, as we'll as concerned
for the welfare of their constituents, the
people, have the nerve to oppose it.
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01
BECK1S TIMELY MEASURE.

While the Texas Legislature is content
10 prohibit its members (and state
oflicials) from accepting and using free
passes over railroad lines, Senator Beck
is worrying the railroad interest in Con-
gress by urging his bill, which PROHIBITS
members of Congress from acting as
attorneys or employees 'for railroad COM
panies holding charters, or having re-
ceived grants of land, or pecuniary aid
from the United States" The sturdy
Kentuckian is in dead earnest and pro-
poses to put the Senate, at lesst, squsrely
on record on this matter. The bill is
now in position where it cannot be
smothered in a committee room, and
members must come I'M to the rack and
take their fodder, whether they like 1t or
not. Mr.. Beck's bill will probably be de-
fssted in the Senate and never get to the
House, for the railroad influence is
strong in the Senate. 1t is true
that that body passed the inter-
state commerce bill, but it only did
so sitter long struggle, and
because convinced the people would
not be put off with further delays or dal-
lying. 1t will be about the same way
with Mr.. Beck's bill. He will have to
make persistent, protracted fight for
his measure, hammer away atitincessant-
~ and industriously. Public sentiment
is with him now, snd will stay with him,
and in good hme congress will be con-
WINGED on that point, just as 1t expert
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01

THE people want Reagan or Maxey for
Senator, and if the ballots of the peoples
representatives are to be taken as reflex
of popular sentiment, r agan is the first
choice Of the people. When Terrell saw
what the desire of the people was ne re-
tired and did not obstruct their wishes.
Why doesn't Ireland follow Terrell's
commemorate example? The people do
not want Ireland for Senator.
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01

THE Galveston News opposes the sub
mission of constitutional amendment
prohibiting the sale and manufacture of
liquors. 1t is immeterial to the News
whether the Democracy shall be con-
fronted with an outraged public senti-
ment in 1883 or not, and it seems to be
equally immaterisl to that paper whether
the prayers of the people are needed or
not.
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01

THE old sorry of the dog in the msnger,
unable to eat hay himself and refusing 10
let his equine companion do so, never
found more forcible illustration than in
the senatorial deadlock at Austin. 1t is
not necessary to name anybody. The sub
iect will be recognized.
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01

paper derides the idea of war either with
Mexico on account of Cutting or with
Great Britain on account of the fisher
men. Hereafter we shall write "this is
sarcasm" underneath Cur belligerent
especially for the benefit Of
our esteemed contemporary whose time
and attention are so much taken up with
trying to be governor on a Knights of
LABOR ticket.
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01

THE Legislature met January II. 1t
has done tolerably well, considering the
senatorial bother. But it might have
been further along with its work.
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01

TENNEssEE is wrestling with the state
treasurershlp; Indiana and Texas with
the senstorship. The thing grows
monotonous, and the people ask for
change. The farce of legislation should
not be confined TO one act. Ring down
the curtain and proceed with the play.
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01

A HIGH license law is the true solution
of the temperance agitation. No valid
argument can be made against it, and its
chief opponents are extreme Prohibition
lists and the doggery proprietors.
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01

In New York they kill men with ham
mers, cut them up, pack the pieces IN old
trunks and ship them off by express. In
Texas they Kill men with s;x-shooters.
1t is only question of population and
conditions. The criminal instinct exists
among men in all sections and in all CON-
,,,upi+ias
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01

THE Yanks subjugated US and now
they are buying US. A New York tele-
gram in THE GAZETTE yesterday stated
that ga New York syndicate had made an
extensive purchase in Alabama. The
purchase covers the entire town of An
niston, which contains about 5000 In
nabitsuts,D etc.
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01

Could not the Kentuckian who has in
vented a gas regulator be induced to
visit the state capitals, with this inven-
ton we'll adjusted. There might be more
hnsiness and less blow.
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01

THERE are some railroad men in Fort
Worth to-day. Railroad men always
meet in railroad center.
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-01

LIFK is very short, but still THE GA
zETTE pauses long enough to explain to
the beloved GAINESVILLE Standard that this